Development of Nylon 6 nanofibers modified with Cyanex-272 for cobalt recovery.

With a worldwide ever increasing demand for metals, particularly for the manufacture of electronics and batteries, there is not only a concurrent need to recover these materials from their subsequent waste streams but also a need to make advancements to do this via development of more efficient and eco-friendly processes for metal recovery; solid-phase extraction can be considered a promising alternative to conventional processes. This work studied the production of novel nanofibers modified with Cyanex 272 and their application in the recovery of cobalt present in aqueous solution The nanofibers produced by forcespinning were characterized by SEM, FT-IR and TGA and the extraction of cobalt was evaluated by variation of the pH, solid:liquid (S:L) ratio, extraction time and Cyanex 272 content in the nanofibers. The best extraction efficiency was 99.96%, achieved under the following conditions: pH 8; (S:L) ratio of 1:200; 25% of Cyanex 272; Extraction time of 60 min. The maximum extraction capacity obtained was 15.46 mg Co/g of nanofiber and 70.15 mg Co/g of extractor. In successive reuse cycles, the results demonstrated that the extraction efficiency was maintained at over 85%. The findings showed that Nylon 6/Cyanex 272 nanofibers are a new robust and promising material for the recovery of heavy metals from aqueous solution, confirming that nanofibers have an efficiency similar to conventional liquid-liquid extraction, without the disadvantage of volatile organic compounds emissions generated by the use of organic diluents.

Translation of the Debriefing Assessment for Simulation in Healthcare in Portuguese and cross-cultural adaptation for Portugal and Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Debriefing Assessment for Simulation in Healthcare (DASH©) is an instrument to assist in developing and evaluating debriefing skills. The objectives of this study were to translate the DASH from English to Portuguese and to conduct a cross-cultural adaptation of this translated instrument for Portugal and Brazil. METHODS: A forward translation of the DASH score sheets and Rater's Handbook was accomplished and reviewed by authors from both Portuguese-speaking countries to reach the consensus harmonized version. A backward translation was reviewed by the original authors and discussed with the authors to produce the approved harmonized translation. This was then tested through a questionnaire to assess clarity, comprehensiveness, appropriateness, and cultural relevance among 10 simulation specialists from Portugal and Brazil. RESULTS: During the forward translation, 19 discrepancies were detected in the Portuguese DASH. After backward translation, 7 discrepancies were discussed and harmonized. All 10 simulation specialists from both countries reviewed the harmonized translation and made 70 suggestions, 64 of which were incorporated in the instrument after discussion among authors. CONCLUSIONS: The translated DASH has undergone translation to Portuguese and a cross-cultural adaptation across Portugal and Brazil. It may be used to assess debriefings in healthcare settings in these countries.

La simulación clínica como herramienta para facilitar el cambio de cultura en las organizaciones de salud: aplicación práctica de la teoría avanzada del aprendizaje / Clinical simulation as a tool to facilitate culture change in healthcare: Practical application of advanced learning theory

RESUMEN Introducción: Las organizaciones sanitarias continúan aumentando su complejidad. La mayoría de efectos adversos son causados por problemas inherentes a los procesos utilizados. Objetivo: Comprender el valor del entrenamiento de equipos con simulación para promover un enfoque orientado al sistema, centrado en el paciente y conducido por equipos interprofesionales. Metodología: Reflexión sobre estrategias de simulación para afrontar cambios organizativos. Resultados: Equipos interprofesionales fueron capaces de proporcionar sedación de modo seguro para procedimientos de colonoscopia, y para promover el diagnóstico precoz y el rápido tratamiento de pacientes con sepsis severa. Conclusión: La simulación clínica proporciona un entorno seguro para reorganizar el cuidado en salud y entrenar profesionales a trabajar en equipo.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Healthcare continues to grow in complexity. Numerous publications have confirmed that most adverse events are caused by inherent problems within the processes being used, which implies that reengineering the systems can reduce the incidence of error. Objective: To understand the value of team education with clinical simulation to promote a systems-oriented, multidisciplinary team-driven, patient-centered approach for optimal patient outcomes. Methodology: We present several simulation-based strategies as an example on how to cope with changes at the organizational level. Results: After simulation based training inter-professional teams were able to safely provide sedation for colonoscopy, and to enhance teamwork for early detection and goal-directed treatment of sepsis in the surgical ward. Conclusion: Clinical simulation provides a safe environment to reorganize care and train professionals to work in teams.

Optimized placement of angled abutments for external-hex implant platforms: a pilot study.

A survey demonstrated that angled abutments for external-hex implant platforms are difficult to place because of the handling of the components and screwdriver. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of a device facilitating the placement of prefabricated angled abutments. This new instrument features improved ergonomics and is based on the design of a modified pickup impression coping. Forty experienced professionals tested two methods of placing angled abutments in a typodont on implants replacing a maxillary central incisor and a maxillary first molar. Using the new device, the abutments could be placed with a 43.9% reduction in time compared to the original manufacturer's instrument.

Coagulación intravascular diseminada inducida en la rata: efecto sobre la concentración plasmática de fibronectina / Disseminated intravascular coagulation induced in rats: effect on plasma concentration of fibronectin

La inducción de coagulación intravascular diseminada (CID) o una reacción semejante a la CID por una sola inyección de una substancia polianiónica: polianetol sulfonato (Liquoid) produjo microtrombosis renal y pulmonar. Las concentraciones plasmáticas de fibronectina (Fn) disminuyeron en 63% (P 0.01) en los primeros 15 min. que siguieron a la inyección y se mantuvieron disminuídos por lo menos 90 min., sugiriendo que, in vivo, el polianión interviene en la coprecipitación del Fibrógeno-Fibronectina ya que cuando las concentraciones circulantes de Fn son bajas aumentan la localización de Fibrinógeno I125 en los riñones y pulmones después de inyectar liquoid. En la microvasculatura renal y pulmonar se encontraron trombos que contenían fibrinógeno, fibrina, Fn., y antígeno relacionado con el factor VIII (VIII ag). Los estudios de inmuno emborronamiento mostraron cantidades significativas de productos de degradación de la Fn. Los estudios "in vitro" sugieren que el liquoid altera la movilidad electroforética pero no la detección de la Fn por inmunodifusión. De esta manera la reacción semejante a CID inducida por el polianión agrega y secuestra Fn en los microtrombos y resulta en fragmentación molecular de ésta. Como la Fn es importante para la función retículoendotelial es razonable suponer que la reducción de su concentración y su degradación asociada con la CID puedan contribuir significativamente a las alteraciones histopatológicas mediadas por la coagulopatía de consumo